U.S. patent number 10,664,858 [Application Number 15/628,407] was granted by the patent office on 2020-05-26 for systems and methods for determining discounted prices for online orders.
This patent grant is currently assigned to WALMART APOLLO, LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is WAL-MART STORES, INC.. Invention is credited to Michael Gilbert Ebener, Vidyanand Krishnan, Austin Lee Smith.
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United States Patent |
10,664,858 |
Smith , et al. |
May 26, 2020 |
Systems and methods for determining discounted prices for online
orders
Abstract
Systems and methods including one or more processing modules and
one or more non-transitory storage modules storing computing
instructions configured to run on the one or more processing
modules and perform acts of receiving an order from an electronic
device of a customer, the order comprising one or more items,
determining at least one of a store employee or a delivery driver
is available to fulfill the order during a first window of time of
a plurality of windows of time, coordinating displaying the
plurality of windows of time on the device of the customer with a
discounted price for the order proximate the first window of time,
and, if the one or more non-transitory storage modules receive a
selection of the first window of time from the electronic device of
the customer, coordinating displaying an order completion page with
the discounted price for the order.
Inventors: |
Smith; Austin Lee (Burlingame,
CA), Krishnan; Vidyanand (Sunnyvale, CA), Ebener; Michael
Gilbert (San Francisco, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WAL-MART STORES, INC. |
Bentonville |
AR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
WALMART APOLLO, LLC
(Bentonville, AR)
|
Family
ID: |
64657501 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/628,407 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20180365725 A1 |
Dec 20, 2018 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q
30/0222 (20130101); G06Q 30/0639 (20130101); G06Q
10/08355 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06Q
30/02 (20120101); G06Q 30/06 (20120101); G06Q
10/08 (20120101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
|
|
2006072447 |
|
Mar 2006 |
|
JP |
|
WO-0068856 |
|
Nov 2000 |
|
WO |
|
WO-0111523 |
|
Feb 2001 |
|
WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Brady; Marie P
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more
non-transitory storage devices storing computing instructions
configured to run on the one or more processors and cause the one
or more processors to perform acts of: receiving a pre-first order
from a pre-first electronic device of a pre-first customer for a
pre-first delivery of one or more pre-first items of the pre-first
order, the pre-first order comprising one or more pre-first times;
determining at least one of (1) a store employee or (2) a delivery
driver is available to fulfill the pre-first order during a first
window of time of a plurality of windows of time, the first window
of time comprising at least one time of the one or more pre-first
times; coordinating displaying the plurality of windows of time on
the pre-first electronic device of the pre-first customer with a
pre-first price for the pre-first order proximate the first window
of time; when the one or more processors receive a pre-first
selection of the first window of time from the pre-first electronic
device of the pre-first customer, coordinating displaying a
pre-first order completion page on the pre-first electronic device
of the pre-first customer; receiving a first order from a first
electronic device of a first customer for a first delivery of one
or more first items of the first order, wherein: the first order
comprises one or more first times; and the one or more first times
comprise the first window of time; coordinating displaying the one
or more first times on the first electronic device of the first
customer with a first discounted price for the first order
proximate the first window of time, the first discounted price
comprising a first price of the first order minus at least a first
portion of a common delivery charge for both the pre-first order
and the first order; when the one or more processors receive a
first selection of the first window of time from the first
electronic device of the first customer, coordinating displaying a
first order completion page with the first discounted price for the
first order; modifying the pre-first price of the pre-first order
to create a pre-first discounted price by subtracting a pre-first
portion of the common delivery charge for both the pre-first order
and the first order from the pre-first price of the pre-first
order; and facilitating delivering the first order and the
pre-first order by a same delivery vehicle.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein: determining the at least one of
(1) the store employee or (2) the delivery driver is available to
fulfill the pre-first order comprises: determining the store
employee is available to collect the pre-first order to fulfill the
pre-first order during the first window of time; and the one or
more non-transitory storage devices storing the computing
instructions are further configured to run on the one or more
processors and cause the one or more processors to perform an act
of: coordinating displaying the pre-first order on an employee
electronic device of the store employee.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein: receiving the first order from
the first electronic device comprises: receiving the first order
from the first electronic device of the first customer for a first
delivery of the one or more first items of the first order at a
first address; determining the at least one of (1) the store
employee or (2) the delivery driver is available to fulfill the
first order comprises: determining the store employee is available
to collect the one or more first items of the first order; and
determining the delivery driver is available to deliver the one or
more first items of the first order at the first address also
during the first window of time to fulfill the first order; and the
one or more non-transitory storage devices storing the computing
instructions are further configured to run on the one or more
processors and cause the one or more processors to perform an act
of: coordinating displaying the first order on an employee
electronic device of the store employee and also on a driver
electronic device of the delivery driver.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein: receiving the pre-first order
from the pre-first electronic device of the pre-first customer for
the pre-first delivery of the one or more pre-first items of the
pre-first order comprises: receiving the pre-first order from the
pre-first electronic device of the pre-first customer for the
pre-first delivery of the one or more pre-first items of the
pre-first order at a pre-first address; receiving the first order
from the first electronic device comprises: receiving the first
order from the first electronic device of the first customer for
the first delivery of the one or more first items of the first
order at a first address; and determining the at least one of (1)
the store employee or (2) the delivery driver is available to
fulfill the pre-first order comprises: determining the delivery
driver is available to deliver (i) the one or more first items of
the first order at the first address during the first window of
time to fulfill the first order and (ii) the one or more pre-first
items of the pre-first order at the pre-first address during the
first window of time to fulfill the pre-first order.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein determining the delivery driver
is available to deliver (i) the one or more first items of the
first order at the first address during the first window of time to
fulfill the first order and (ii) the one or more pre-first items of
the pre-first order at the pre-first address during the first
window of time to fulfill the pre-first order comprises:
determining, based on the first address and the pre-first address
being within a first predetermined proximity of each other, the
delivery driver is available to deliver (i) the one or more first
items of the first order at the first address during the first
window of time to fulfill the first order and (ii) the one or more
pre-first items of the pre-first order at the pre-first address
during the first window of time to fulfill the pre-first order.
6. The system of claim 4, wherein the one or more non-transitory
storage devices storing the computing instructions are further
configured to run on the one or more processors and cause the one
or more processors to perform an act of, when the one or more
processors receive the first selection of the first window of time
from the first electronic device of the first customer:
coordinating transmitting a notification to the pre-first
electronic device indicating that the pre-first discounted price
has been applied to the pre-first order.
7. The system of claim 5, wherein the one or more non-transitory
storage devices storing the computing instructions are further
configured to run on the one or more processors and cause the one
or more processors to perform an act of: coordinating displaying a
map webpage on the first electronic device of the first customer,
the map webpage comprising: (1) a map of an area within a second
predetermined proximity of at least one of the first address or the
pre-first address; (2) a geometric shape on the map overlaying the
first address and the pre-first address; (3) a prompt within the
geometric shape for the first customer to select the first window
of time to activate the first discounted price for the first
customer and the pre-first discounted price for the pre-first
customer; and (4) the first discounted price proximate a first icon
displaying the first window of time, the first icon configured to
receive a selection of the first window of time by the first
customer.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein coordinating displaying the one
or more first times on the first electronic device of the first
customer with the first discounted price for the first order
proximate the first window of time comprises: coordinating
displaying: (1) the one or more first times on the first electronic
device of the first customer with the first discounted price for
the first order proximate the first window of time; and (2) a
second icon configured to redirect the first customer to the map
webpage upon a selection of the second icon by the first
customer.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein: the one or more non-transitory
storage devices storing the computing instructions are further
configured to run on the one or more processors and cause the one
or more processors to perform acts of: when the one or more
processors receive a first selection of the first window of time
from the first electronic device of the first customer:
coordinating transmitting a notification to the pre-first
electronic device indicating that the pre-first discounted price
has been applied to the pre-first order; and coordinating
displaying a map webpage on the first electronic device of the
first customer, the map webpage comprising: (1) a map of an area
within a second predetermined proximity of at least one of a first
address or a pre-first address; (2) a geometric shape on the map
overlaying the first address and the pre-first address; (3) a
prompt within the geometric shape for the first customer to select
the first window of time to activate the first discounted price for
the first customer and the pre-first discounted price for the
pre-first customer; and (4) the first discounted price proximate a
first icon displaying the first window of time, the first icon
configured to receive a selection of the first window of time by
the first customer; receiving the pre-first order from the
pre-first electronic device of the pre-first customer for the
pre-first delivery of the one or more pre-first items of the
pre-first order comprises: receiving the pre-first order from the
pre-first electronic device of the pre-first customer for the
pre-first delivery of the one or more pre-first items of the
pre-first order at the pre-first address; receiving the first order
from the first electronic device comprises: receiving the first
order from the first electronic device of the first customer for a
first delivery of the one or more first items of the first order at
the first address; determining the at least one of (1) the store
employee or (2) the delivery driver is available to fulfill the
first order comprises: determining, based on the first address and
the pre-first address being within a first predetermined proximity
of each other, the delivery driver is available to deliver (i) the
one or more first items of the first order at the first address
during the first window of time to fulfill the first order and (ii)
the one or more pre-first items of the pre-first order at the
pre-first address during the first window of time to fulfill the
pre-first order; and coordinating displaying the one or more first
times on the first electronic device of the first customer with the
first discounted price for the first order proximate the first
window of time comprises: coordinating displaying (1) the one or
more first times on the first electronic device of the first
customer with the first discounted price for the first order
proximate the first window of time and (2) a second icon configured
to redirect the first customer to the map webpage upon a selection
of the second icon by the first customer.
10. A method being implemented via execution of computing
instructions configured to run at one or more processors and
configured to be stored at non-transitory computer-readable media,
the method comprising: receiving a pre-first order from a pre-first
electronic device of a pre-first customer for a pre-first delivery
of one or more pre-first items of the pre-first order, the
pre-first order comprising one or more pre-first times; determining
at least one of (1) a store employee or (2) a delivery driver is
available to fulfill the pre-first order during a first window of
time of a plurality of windows of time, the first window of time
comprising at least one time of the one or more pre-first times;
coordinating displaying the plurality of windows of time on the
pre-first electronic device of the pre-first customer with a
pre-first price for the pre-first order proximate the first window
of time; when the one or more processors receive a pre-first
selection of the first window of time from the pre-first electronic
device of the pre-first customer, coordinating displaying a
pre-first order completion page on the pre-first electronic device
of the pre-first customer; receiving a first order from a first
electronic device of a first customer for a first delivery of one
or more first items of the first order, wherein the first order
comprises one or more first times; and the one or more first times
comprise the first window of time; coordinating displaying the one
or more first times on the first electronic device of the first
customer with a first discounted price for the first order
proximate the first window of time, the first discounted price
comprising a first price of the first order minus at least a first
portion of a common delivery charge for both the pre-first order
and the first order; when the one or more processors receive a
first selection of the first window of time from the first
electronic device of the first customer, coordinating displaying a
first order completion page with the first discounted price for the
first order; modifying the pre-first price of the pre-first order
to create a pre-first discounted price by subtracting a pre-first
portion of the common delivery charge for both the pre-first order
and the first order from the pre-first price of the pre-first
order; and facilitating delivering the first order and the
pre-first order by a same delivery vehicle.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein: determining at least one of
(1) the store employee or (2) the delivery driver is available to
fulfill the first order comprises: determining the store employee
is available to collect the first order to fulfill the first order
during the first window of time; and the method further comprises:
coordinating displaying the first order on an employee electronic
device of the store employee.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein: receiving the first order from
the first electronic device comprises: receiving the first order
from the first electronic device of the first customer for a first
delivery of the one or more first items of the first order at a
first address; determining the at least one of (1) the store
employee or (2) the delivery driver is available to fulfill the
first order comprises: determining the store employee is available
to collect the one or more first items of the first order; and
determining the delivery driver is available to deliver the one or
more first items of the first order at the first address also
during the first window of time to fulfill the first order; and the
method further comprises: coordinating displaying the first order
on an employee electronic device of the store employee and also on
a driver electronic device of the delivery driver.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein: receiving the pre-first order
from the pre-first electronic device of the pre-first customer for
the pre-first delivery of the one or more pre-first items of the
pre-first order comprises: receiving the pre-first order from the
pre-first electronic device of the pre-first customer for the
pre-first delivery of the one or more pre-first items of the
pre-first order at a pre-first address; receiving the first order
from the first electronic device comprises: receiving the first
order from the first electronic device of the first customer for a
first delivery of the one or more first items of the first order at
a first address; and determining the at least one of (1) the store
employee or (2) the delivery driver is available to fulfill the
first order comprises: determining the delivery driver is available
to deliver (i) the one or more first items of the first order at
the first address during the first window of time to fulfill the
first order and (ii) the one or more pre-first items of the
pre-first order at the pre-first address during the first window of
time to fulfill the pre-first order.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the delivery driver
is available to deliver (i) the one or more first items of the
first order at the first address during the first window of time to
fulfill the first order and (ii) the one or more pre-first items of
the pre-first order at the pre-first address during the first
window of time to fulfill the pre-first order comprises:
determining, based on the first address and the pre-first address
being within a first predetermined proximity of each other, the
delivery driver is available to deliver (i) the one or more first
items of the first order at the first address during the first
window of time to fulfill the first order and (ii) the one or more
pre-first items of the pre-first order at the pre-first address
during the first window of time to fulfill the pre-first order.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises,
when the one or more processors receive the first selection of the
first window of time from the first electronic device of the first
customer: coordinating transmitting a notification to the pre-first
electronic device indicating that the pre-first discounted price
has been applied to the pre-first order.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises:
coordinating displaying a map webpage on the first electronic
device of the first customer, the map webpage comprising: (1) a map
of an area within a second predetermined proximity of at least one
of the first address or the pre-first address; 2) a geometric shape
on the map overlaying the first address and the pre-first address;
(3) a prompt within the geometric shape for the first customer to
select the first window of time to activate the first discounted
price for the first customer and the pre-first discounted price for
the pre-first customer; and (4) the first discounted price
proximate a first icon displaying the first window of time, the
first icon configured to receive a selection of the first window of
time by the first customer.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein coordinating displaying the one
or more first times on the first electronic device of the first
customer with the first discounted price for the first order
proximate the first window of time comprises: coordinating
displaying: (1) the one or more first times on the first electronic
device of the first customer with the first discounted price for
the first order proximate the first window of time; and 2) a second
icon configured to redirect the first customer to the map webpage
upon selection of the second icon by the first customer.
18. The method of claim 10 wherein: the method further comprises:
when the one or more processors receive the first selection of the
first window of time from the first electronic device of the first
customer: coordinating transmitting a notification to the pre-first
electronic device indicating that the pre-first discounted price
has been applied to the pre-first order; and coordinating
displaying a map webpage on the first electronic device of the
first customer, the map webpage comprising: (1) a map of an area
within a second predetermined proximity of at least one of a first
address or a pre-first address; (2) a geometric shape on the map
overlaying the first address and the pre-first address; (3) a
prompt within the geometric shape for the first customer to select
the first window of time to activate the first discounted price for
the first customer and the pre-first discounted price for the
pre-first customer; and (4) the first discounted price proximate a
first icon displaying the first window of time, the first icon
configured to receive a selection of the first window of time by
the first customer; receiving the pre-first order from the
pre-first electronic device of the pre-first customer for the
pre-first delivery of the one or more pre-first items of the
pre-first order comprises: receiving the pre-first order from the
pre-first electronic device of the pre-first customer for the
pre-first delivery of the one or more pre-first items of the
pre-first order at the pre-first address; receiving the first order
from the first electronic device comprises: receiving the first
order from the first electronic device of the first customer for a
first delivery of the one or more first items of the first order at
the first address; determining the at least one of (1) the store
employee or (2) the delivery driver is available to fulfill the
first order comprises: determining, based on the first address and
the pre-first address being within a first predetermined proximity
of each other, the delivery driver is available to deliver (i) the
one or more first items of the first order at the first address
during the first window of time to fulfill the first order and (ii)
the one or more pre-first items of the pre-first order at the
pre-first address during the first window of time to fulfill the
pre-first order; and coordinating displaying the one or more first
times on the first electronic device of the first customer with the
first discounted price for the first order proximate the first
window of time comprises: coordinating displaying (1) the one or
more first times on the first electronic device of the first
customer with the first discounted price for the first order
proximate the first window of time and (2) a second icon configured
to redirect the first customer to the map webpage upon selection of
the second icon by the first customer.
19. The system of claim 1 wherein facilitating delivering the first
order and the pre-first order comprises: transmitting the first
order and the pre-first order to a third party delivery
service.
20. The method of claim 10 wherein facilitating delivering the
first order and the pre-first order comprises: transmitting the
first order and the pre-first order to a third party delivery
service.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure relates generally to determining discounted prices
for online delivery and online pickup orders.
BACKGROUND
Many customers of retail or grocery stores now desire the
convenience of having their orders delivered to their homes and/or
picking up their already-collected orders at a designated area of
the store. These orders are often made online by the customers
using a website or mobile application for the store. A common
problem faced by stores, however, is coordinating efficient
collection and/or delivery of these orders.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following
drawings are provided in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevational view of a computer system
that is suitable for implementing various embodiments of the
systems disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 5;
FIG. 2 illustrates a representative block diagram of an example of
the elements included in the circuit boards inside a chassis of the
computer system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates a representative block diagram of a system,
according to an embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for a method, according to certain
embodiments; and
FIG. 5 illustrates a representative block diagram of a portion of
the system of FIG. 3, according to an embodiment.
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures
illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and
details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to
avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally,
elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures
may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve
understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. The same
reference numerals in different figures denote the same
elements.
The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like in the
description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing
between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a
particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be
understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under
appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described
herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other
than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore,
the terms "include," and "have," and any variations thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process,
method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list
of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may
include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such
process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.
The terms "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom,"
"over," "under," and the like in the description and in the claims,
if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for
describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood
that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate
circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods,
and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example,
capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated
or otherwise described herein.
The terms "couple," "coupled," "couples," "coupling," and the like
should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more
elements mechanically and/or otherwise. Two or more electrical
elements may be electrically coupled together, but not be
mechanically or otherwise coupled together. Coupling may be for any
length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an
instant. "Electrical coupling" and the like should be broadly
understood and include electrical coupling of all types. The
absence of the word "removably," "removable," and the like near the
word "coupled," and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc.
in question is or is not removable.
As defined herein, two or more elements are "integral" if they are
comprised of the same piece of material. As defined herein, two or
more elements are "non-integral" if each is comprised of a
different piece of material.
As defined herein, "real-time" can, in some embodiments, be defined
with respect to operations carried out as soon as practically
possible upon occurrence of a triggering event. A triggering event
can include receipt of data necessary to execute a task or to
otherwise process information. Because of delays inherent in
transmission and/or in computing speeds, the term "real time"
encompasses operations that occur in "near" real time or somewhat
delayed from a triggering event. In a number of embodiments, "real
time" can mean real time less a time delay for processing (e.g.,
determining) and/or transmitting data. The particular time delay
can vary depending on the type and/or amount of the data, the
processing speeds of the hardware, the transmission capability of
the communication hardware, the transmission distance, etc.
However, in many embodiments, the time delay can be less than
approximately one second, two seconds, five seconds, or ten
seconds.
As defined herein, "approximately" can, in some embodiments, mean
within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value. In other
embodiments, "approximately" can mean within plus or minus five
percent of the stated value. In further embodiments,
"approximately" can mean within plus or minus three percent of the
stated value. In yet other embodiments, "approximately" can mean
within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.
DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS
A number of embodiments can include a system. The system can
include one or more processing modules and one or more
non-transitory storage modules storing computing instructions
configured to run on the one or more processing modules. The one or
more storage modules can be configured to run on the one or more
processing modules and perform an act of receiving a first order
from a first electronic device of a first customer, the first order
comprising one or more first items. The one or more storage modules
can be further configured to run on the one or more processing
modules and perform an act of determining at least one of a store
employee or a delivery driver is available to fulfill the first
order during a first window of time of a plurality of windows of
time. The one or more storage modules can be further configured to
run on the one or more processing modules and perform an act of
coordinating displaying the plurality of windows of time on the
first electronic device of the first customer with a first
discounted price for the first order proximate the first window of
time. The one or more storage modules can be further configured to
run on the one or more processing modules and perform an act of, if
the one or more non-transitory storage modules receive a first
selection of the first window of time from the first electronic
device of the first customer, coordinating displaying a first order
completion page with the first discounted price for the first
order.
Various embodiments include a method. The method can include
receiving a first order from a first electronic device of a first
customer, the first order comprising one or more first items. The
method also can include determining at least one of a store
employee or a delivery driver is available to fulfill the first
order during a first window of time of a plurality of windows of
time. The method also can include coordinating displaying the
plurality of windows of time on the first electronic device of the
first customer with a first discounted price for the first order
proximate the first window of time. The method also can include, if
a first selection of the first window of time from the first
electronic device of the first customer is received, coordinating
displaying a first order completion page with the first discounted
price for the first order.
Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment
of a computer system 100, all of which or a portion of which can be
suitable for (i) implementing part or all of one or more
embodiments of the techniques, methods, and systems and/or (ii)
implementing and/or operating part or all of one or more
embodiments of the memory storage modules described herein. As an
example, a different or separate one of a chassis 102 (and its
internal components) can be suitable for implementing part or all
of one or more embodiments of the techniques, methods, and/or
systems described herein. Furthermore, one or more elements of
computer system 100 (e.g., a monitor 106, a keyboard 104, and/or a
mouse 110, etc.) also can be appropriate for implementing part or
all of one or more embodiments of the techniques, methods, and/or
systems described herein. Computer system 100 can comprise chassis
102 containing one or more circuit boards (not shown), a Universal
Serial Bus (USB) port 112, a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM)
and/or Digital Video Disc (DVD) drive 116, and a hard drive 114. A
representative block diagram of the elements included on the
circuit boards inside chassis 102 is shown in FIG. 2. A central
processing unit (CPU) 210 in FIG. 2 is coupled to a system bus 214
in FIG. 2. In various embodiments, the architecture of CPU 210 can
be compliant with any of a variety of commercially distributed
architecture families.
Continuing with FIG. 2, system bus 214 also is coupled to a memory
storage unit 208, where memory storage unit 208 can comprise (i)
non-volatile memory, such as, for example, read only memory (ROM)
and/or (ii) volatile memory, such as, for example, random access
memory (RAM). The non-volatile memory can be removable and/or
non-removable non-volatile memory. Meanwhile, RAM can include
dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), etc. Further, ROM can
include mask-programmed ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), one-time
programmable ROM (OTP), erasable programmable read-only memory
(EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) (e.g.,
electrically alterable ROM (EAROM) and/or flash memory), etc. In
these or other embodiments, memory storage unit 208 can comprise
(i) non-transitory memory and/or (ii) transitory memory.
In various examples, portions of the memory storage module(s) of
the various embodiments disclosed herein (e.g., portions of the
non-volatile memory storage module(s)) can be encoded with a boot
code sequence suitable for restoring computer system 100 (FIG. 1)
to a functional state after a system reset. In addition, portions
of the memory storage module(s) of the various embodiments
disclosed herein (e.g., portions of the non-volatile memory storage
module(s)) can comprise microcode such as a Basic Input-Output
System (BIOS) operable with computer system 100 (FIG. 1). In the
same or different examples, portions of the memory storage
module(s) of the various embodiments disclosed herein (e.g.,
portions of the non-volatile memory storage module(s)) can comprise
an operating system, which can be a software program that manages
the hardware and software resources of a computer and/or a computer
network. The BIOS can initialize and test components of computer
system 100 (FIG. 1) and load the operating system. Meanwhile, the
operating system can perform basic tasks such as, for example,
controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of
instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating
networking, and managing files. Exemplary operating systems can
comprise one of the following: (i) Microsoft.RTM. Windows.RTM.
operating system (OS) by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., United
States of America, (ii) Mac.RTM. OS X by Apple Inc. of Cupertino,
Calif., United States of America, (iii) UNIX.RTM. OS, and (iv)
Linux.RTM. OS. Further exemplary operating systems can comprise one
of the following: (i) the iOS.RTM. operating system by Apple Inc.
of Cupertino, Calif., United States of America, (ii) the
Blackberry.RTM. operating system by Research In Motion (RIM) of
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, (iii) the WebOS operating system by LG
Electronics of Seoul, South Korea, (iv) the Android.TM. operating
system developed by Google, of Mountain View, Calif., United States
of America, (v) the Windows Mobile.TM. operating system by
Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., United States of America, or
(vi) the Symbian.TM. operating system by Accenture PLC of Dublin,
Ireland.
As used herein, "processor" and/or "processing module" means any
type of computational circuit, such as but not limited to a
microprocessor, a microcontroller, a controller, a complex
instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced
instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long
instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a
digital signal processor, or any other type of processor or
processing circuit capable of performing the desired functions. In
some examples, the one or more processing modules of the various
embodiments disclosed herein can comprise CPU 210.
Alternatively, or in addition to, the systems and procedures
described herein can be implemented in hardware, or a combination
of hardware, software, and/or firmware. For example, one or more
application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) can be programmed
to carry out one or more of the systems and procedures described
herein. For example, one or more of the programs and/or executable
program components described herein can be implemented in one or
more ASICs. In many embodiments, an application specific integrated
circuit (ASIC) can comprise one or more processors or
microprocessors and/or memory blocks or memory storage.
In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 2, various I/O devices such as a
disk controller 204, a graphics adapter 224, a video controller
202, a keyboard adapter 226, a mouse adapter 206, a network adapter
220, and other I/O devices 222 can be coupled to system bus 214.
Keyboard adapter 226 and mouse adapter 206 are coupled to keyboard
104 (FIGS. 1-2) and mouse 110 (FIGS. 1-2), respectively, of
computer system 100 (FIG. 1). While graphics adapter 224 and video
controller 202 are indicated as distinct units in FIG. 2, video
controller 202 can be integrated into graphics adapter 224, or vice
versa in other embodiments. Video controller 202 is suitable for
monitor 106 (FIGS. 1-2) to display images on a screen 108 (FIG. 1)
of computer system 100 (FIG. 1). Disk controller 204 can control
hard drive 114 (FIGS. 1-2), USB port 112 (FIGS. 1-2), and CD-ROM
drive 116 (FIGS. 1-2). In other embodiments, distinct units can be
used to control each of these devices separately.
Network adapter 220 can be suitable to connect computer system 100
(FIG. 1) to a computer network by wired communication (e.g., a
wired network adapter) and/or wireless communication (e.g., a
wireless network adapter). In some embodiments, network adapter 220
can be plugged or coupled to an expansion port (not shown) in
computer system 100 (FIG. 1). In other embodiments, network adapter
220 can be built into computer system 100 (FIG. 1). For example,
network adapter 220 can be built into computer system 100 (FIG. 1)
by being integrated into the motherboard chipset (not shown), or
implemented via one or more dedicated communication chips (not
shown), connected through a PCI (peripheral component
interconnector) or a PCI express bus of computer system 100 (FIG.
1) or USB port 112 (FIG. 1).
Returning now to FIG. 1, although many other components of computer
system 100 are not shown, such components and their interconnection
are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly,
further details concerning the construction and composition of
computer system 100 and the circuit boards inside chassis 102 are
not discussed herein.
Meanwhile, when computer system 100 is running, program
instructions (e.g., computer instructions) stored on one or more of
the memory storage module(s) of the various embodiments disclosed
herein can be executed by CPU 210 (FIG. 2). At least a portion of
the program instructions, stored on these devices, can be suitable
for carrying out at least part of the techniques and methods
described herein.
Further, although computer system 100 is illustrated as a desktop
computer in FIG. 1, there can be examples where computer system 100
may take a different form factor while still having functional
elements similar to those described for computer system 100. In
some embodiments, computer system 100 may comprise a single
computer, a single server, or a cluster or collection of computers
or servers, or a cloud of computers or servers. Typically, a
cluster or collection of servers can be used when the demand on
computer system 100 exceeds the reasonable capability of a single
server or computer. In certain embodiments, computer system 100 may
comprise a portable computer, such as a laptop computer. In certain
other embodiments, computer system 100 may comprise a mobile
electronic device, such as a smartphone. In certain additional
embodiments, computer system 100 may comprise an embedded
system.
Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram
of a system 300 that can be employed for determining discounted
prices for online orders, as described in greater detail below.
System 300 is merely exemplary and embodiments of the system are
not limited to the embodiments presented herein. System 300 can be
employed in many different embodiments or examples not specifically
depicted or described herein. In some embodiments, certain elements
or modules of system 300 can perform various procedures, processes,
and/or activities. In these or other embodiments, the procedures,
processes, and/or activities can be performed by other suitable
elements or modules of system 300.
Generally, therefore, system 300 can be implemented with hardware
and/or software, as described herein. In some embodiments, part or
all of the hardware and/or software can be conventional, while in
these or other embodiments, part or all of the hardware and/or
software can be customized (e.g., optimized) for implementing part
or all of the functionality of system 300 described herein.
In some embodiments, system 300 can include an order system 310, a
web server 320, and/or a display system 360. Order system 310, web
server 320, and display system 360 can each be a computer system,
such as computer system 100 (FIG. 1), as described above, and can
each be a single computer, a single server, or a cluster or
collection of computers or servers, or a cloud of computers or
servers. In another embodiment, a single computer system can host
each of two or more of order system 310, web server 320, and/or
display system 360. Additional details regarding order system 310,
web server 320, and display system 360 are described herein.
In many embodiments, system 300 also can comprise user computers
340, 341. In some embodiments, user computers 340, 341 can be
mobile devices. A mobile electronic device can refer to a portable
electronic device (e.g., an electronic device easily conveyable by
hand by a person of average size) with the capability to present
audio and/or visual data (e.g., text, images, videos, music, etc.).
For example, a mobile electronic device can comprise at least one
of a digital media player, a cellular telephone (e.g., a
smartphone), a personal digital assistant, a handheld digital
computer device (e.g., a tablet personal computer device), a laptop
computer device (e.g., a notebook computer device, a netbook
computer device), a wearable user computer device, or another
portable computer device with the capability to present audio
and/or visual data (e.g., images, videos, music, etc.). Thus, in
many examples, a mobile electronic device can comprise a volume
and/or weight sufficiently small as to permit the mobile electronic
device to be easily conveyable by hand. For examples, in some
embodiments, a mobile electronic device can occupy a volume of less
than or equal to approximately 1790 cubic centimeters, 2434 cubic
centimeters, 2876 cubic centimeters, 4056 cubic centimeters, and/or
5752 cubic centimeters. Further, in these embodiments, a mobile
electronic device can weigh less than or equal to 15.6 Newtons,
17.8 Newtons, 22.3 Newtons, 31.2 Newtons, and/or 44.5 Newtons.
Exemplary mobile electronic devices can comprise (i) an iPod.RTM.,
iPhone.RTM., iTouch.RTM., iPad.RTM., MacBook.RTM. or similar
product by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., United States of
America, (ii) a Blackberry.RTM. or similar product by Research in
Motion (RIM) of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, (iii) a Lumia.RTM. or
similar product by the Nokia Corporation of Keilaniemi, Espoo,
Finland, and/or (iv) a Galaxy.TM. or similar product by the Samsung
Group of Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea. Further, in the same or
different embodiments, a mobile electronic device can comprise an
electronic device configured to implement one or more of (i) the
iPhone.RTM. operating system by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.,
United States of America, (ii) the Blackberry.RTM. operating system
by Research In Motion (RIM) of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, (iii) the
Palm.RTM. operating system by Palm, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif.,
United States, (iv) the Android.TM. operating system developed by
the Open Handset Alliance, (v) the Windows Mobile.TM. operating
system by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., United States of
America, or (vi) the Symbian.TM. operating system by Nokia Corp. of
Keilaniemi, Espoo, Finland.
Further still, the term "wearable user computer device" as used
herein can refer to an electronic device with the capability to
present audio and/or visual data (e.g., text, images, videos,
music, etc.) that is configured to be worn by a user and/or
mountable (e.g., fixed) on the user of the wearable user computer
device (e.g., sometimes under or over clothing; and/or sometimes
integrated with and/or as clothing and/or another accessory, such
as, for example, a hat, eyeglasses, a wrist watch, shoes, etc.). In
many examples, a wearable user computer device can comprise a
mobile electronic device, and vice versa. However, a wearable user
computer device does not necessarily comprise a mobile electronic
device, and vice versa.
In specific examples, a wearable user computer device can comprise
a head mountable wearable user computer device (e.g., one or more
head mountable displays, one or more eyeglasses, one or more
contact lenses, one or more retinal displays, etc.) or a limb
mountable wearable user computer device (e.g., a smart watch). In
these examples, a head mountable wearable user computer device can
be mountable in close proximity to one or both eyes of a user of
the head mountable wearable user computer device and/or vectored in
alignment with a field of view of the user.
In more specific examples, a head mountable wearable user computer
device can comprise (i) Google Glass.TM. product or a similar
product by Google Inc. of Menlo Park, Calif., United States of
America; (ii) the Eye Tap.TM. product, the Laser Eye Tap.TM.
product, or a similar product by ePI Lab of Toronto, Ontario,
Canada, and/or (iii) the Raptyr.TM. product, the STAR1200.TM.
product, the Vuzix Smart Glasses M100.TM. product, or a similar
product by Vuzix Corporation of Rochester, N.Y., United States of
America. In other specific examples, a head mountable wearable user
computer device can comprise the Virtual Retinal Display.TM.
product, or similar product by the University of Washington of
Seattle, Wash., United States of America. Meanwhile, in further
specific examples, a limb mountable wearable user computer device
can comprise the iWatch.TM. product, or similar product by Apple
Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., United States of America, the Galaxy
Gear or similar product of Samsung Group of Samsung Town, Seoul,
South Korea, the Moto 360 product or similar product of Motorola of
Schaumburg, Ill., United States of America, and/or the Zip.TM.
product, One.TM. product, Flex.TM. product, Charge.TM. product,
Surge.TM. product, or similar product by Fitbit Inc. of San
Francisco, Calif., United States of America.
In some embodiments, web server 320 can be in data communication
through Internet 330 with user computers (e.g., 340, 341). In
certain embodiments, user computers 340-341 can be desktop
computers, laptop computers, smart phones, tablet devices, and/or
other endpoint devices. Web server 320 can host one or more
websites. For example, web server 320 can host an eCommerce web
site that allows users to browse and/or search for products, to add
products to an electronic shopping cart, and/or to purchase
products, in addition to other suitable activities.
In many embodiments, order system 310, web server 320, and/or
display system 360 can each comprise one or more input devices
(e.g., one or more keyboards, one or more keypads, one or more
pointing devices such as a computer mouse or computer mice, one or
more touchscreen displays, a microphone, etc.), and/or can each
comprise one or more display devices (e.g., one or more monitors,
one or more touch screen displays, projectors, etc.). In these or
other embodiments, one or more of the input device(s) can be
similar or identical to keyboard 104 (FIG. 1) and/or a mouse 110
(FIG. 1). Further, one or more of the display device(s) can be
similar or identical to monitor 106 (FIG. 1) and/or screen 108
(FIG. 1). The input device(s) and the display device(s) can be
coupled to the processing module(s) and/or the memory storage
module(s) order system 310, web server 320, and/or display system
360 in a wired manner and/or a wireless manner, and the coupling
can be direct and/or indirect, as well as locally and/or remotely.
As an example of an indirect manner (which may or may not also be a
remote manner), a keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) switch can be used to
couple the input device(s) and the display device(s) to the
processing module(s) and/or the memory storage module(s). In some
embodiments, the KVM switch also can be part of order system 310,
web server 320, and/or display system 360. In a similar manner, the
processing module(s) and the memory storage module(s) can be local
and/or remote to each other.
In many embodiments, order system 310, web server 320, and/or
display system 360 can be configured to communicate with one or
more user computers 340 and 341. In some embodiments, user
computers 340 and 341 also can be referred to as customer
computers. In some embodiments, order system 310, web server 320,
and/or display system 360 can communicate or interface (e.g.,
interact) with one or more customer computers (such as user
computers 340 and 341) through a network or internet 330. Internet
330 can be an intranet that is not open to the public. Accordingly,
in many embodiments, order system 310, web server 320, and/or
display system 360 (and/or the software used by such systems) can
refer to a back end of system 300 operated by an operator and/or
administrator of system 300, and user computers 340 and 341 (and/or
the software used by such systems) can refer to a front end of
system 300 used by one or more users 350 and 351, respectively. In
some embodiments, users 350 and 351 also can be referred to as
customers, in which case, user computers 340 and 341 can be
referred to as customer computers. In these or other embodiments,
the operator and/or administrator of system 300 can manage system
300, the processing module(s) of system 300, and/or the memory
storage module(s) of system 300 using the input device(s) and/or
display device(s) of system 300.
Meanwhile, in many embodiments, order system 310, web server 320,
and/or display system 360 also can be configured to communicate
with one or more databases. The one or more databases can comprise
a product database that contains information about products, items,
or SKUs (stock keeping units) sold by a retailer. The one or more
databases can be stored on one or more memory storage modules
(e.g., non-transitory memory storage module(s)), which can be
similar or identical to the one or more memory storage module(s)
(e.g., non-transitory memory storage module(s)) described above
with respect to computer system 100 (FIG. 1). Also, in some
embodiments, for any particular database of the one or more
databases, that particular database can be stored on a single
memory storage module of the memory storage module(s), and/or the
non-transitory memory storage module(s) storing the one or more
databases or the contents of that particular database can be spread
across multiple ones of the memory storage module(s) and/or
non-transitory memory storage module(s) storing the one or more
databases, depending on the size of the particular database and/or
the storage capacity of the memory storage module(s) and/or
non-transitory memory storage module(s).
The one or more databases can each comprise a structured (e.g.,
indexed) collection of data and can be managed by any suitable
database management systems configured to define, create, query,
organize, update, and manage database(s). Exemplary database
management systems can include MySQL (Structured Query Language)
Database, PostgreSQL Database, Microsoft SQL Server Database,
Oracle Database, SAP (Systems, Applications, & Products)
Database, and IBM DB2 Database.
Meanwhile, communication between order system 310, web server 320,
display system 360, and/or the one or more databases can be
implemented using any suitable manner of wired and/or wireless
communication. Accordingly, system 300 can comprise any software
and/or hardware components configured to implement the wired and/or
wireless communication. Further, the wired and/or wireless
communication can be implemented using any one or any combination
of wired and/or wireless communication network topologies (e.g.,
ring, line, tree, bus, mesh, star, daisy chain, hybrid, etc.)
and/or protocols (e.g., personal area network (PAN) protocol(s),
local area network (LAN) protocol(s), wide area network (WAN)
protocol(s), cellular network protocol(s), powerline network
protocol(s), etc.). Exemplary PAN protocol(s) can comprise
Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB), Z-Wave,
etc.; exemplary LAN and/or WAN protocol(s) can comprise Institute
of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 (also known as
Ethernet), IEEE 802.11 (also known as WiFi), etc.; and exemplary
wireless cellular network protocol(s) can comprise Global System
for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service
(GPRS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Evolution-Data
Optimized (EV-DO), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE),
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Digital Enhanced
Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), Digital AMPS (IS-136/Time
Division Multiple Access (TDMA)), Integrated Digital Enhanced
Network (iDEN), Evolved High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA+), Long-Term
Evolution (LTE), WiMAX, etc. The specific communication software
and/or hardware implemented can depend on the network topologies
and/or protocols implemented, and vice versa. In many embodiments,
exemplary communication hardware can comprise wired communication
hardware including, for example, one or more data buses, such as,
for example, universal serial bus(es), one or more networking
cables, such as, for example, coaxial cable(s), optical fiber
cable(s), and/or twisted pair cable(s), any other suitable data
cable, etc. Further exemplary communication hardware can comprise
wireless communication hardware including, for example, one or more
radio transceivers, one or more infrared transceivers, etc.
Additional exemplary communication hardware can comprise one or
more networking components (e.g., modulator-demodulator components,
gateway components, etc.).
Turning ahead in the drawings, FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart for
a method 400, according to an embodiment. Method 400 is merely
exemplary and is not limited to the embodiments presented herein.
Method 400 can be employed in many different embodiments or
examples not specifically depicted or described herein. In some
embodiments, the activities of method 400 can be performed in the
order presented. In other embodiments, the activities of method 400
can be performed in any suitable order. In still other embodiments,
one or more of the activities of method 400 can be combined or
skipped. In many embodiments, system 300 (FIG. 3) can be suitable
to perform method 400 and/or one or more of the activities of
method 400. In these or other embodiments, one or more of the
activities of method 400 can be implemented as one or more computer
instructions configured to run at one or more processing modules
and configured to be stored at one or more non-transitory memory
storage modules 512 and/or 562 (FIG. 5). Such non-transitory memory
storage modules can be part of a computer system such as order
system 310, web server 320, and/or display system 360 (FIGS. 3
& 5). The processing module(s) can be similar or identical to
the processing module(s) described above with respect to computer
system 100 (FIG. 1).
In many embodiments, method 400 can be utilized when customers are
placing orders on a website of a retailer. The orders can be placed
by the customers using electronic devices, such as but not limited
to mobile electronic devices like watches or phones, tablet
computer electronic devices, desktop computer electronic devices,
and the like. The orders placed by customers can be for one or more
items sold by the retailer, including but not limited to groceries,
electronics, clothing, media, equipment, and so on.
In some embodiments, the website of the retailer can be associated
with one or more brick and mortar retail stores, one or more
fulfillment centers, one or more distribution centers, and the like
within a predetermined proximity to the customer placing the order.
As shall be described in greater detail below, the orders placed by
customers on the website of the retailer can be orders for (1)
pickup at a brick and mortar retail store by the customer after a
store employee has collected the order at the store, or (2)
delivery to the customer at an address associated with or otherwise
selected by the customer placing the order. Delivery drivers used
to deliver the orders can comprise store employees and/or
third-party delivery drivers. For example, in some embodiments, the
delivery driver can comprise a delivery driver from a crowd-sourced
delivery service. Moreover, various different embodiments of method
400 can be utilized when only one customer has placed an order on a
website of an online retailer or, alternatively, when two or more
customers have placed orders on the website of the retailer.
For example, in some embodiments, method 400 can be utilized when
two or more customers have placed or are placing an order on the
website of the retailer. In these and other embodiments, a prior
customer makes a prior order on the website before a later or first
customer, who makes a first order on the website after the prior
customer made the prior order. Thus, method 400 can optionally
comprise an activity 405 of receiving a prior order from an
electronic device of a prior customer for a delivery of one or more
items of the prior order at a second address. While activity 405
pertains to an order for delivery of one or more items to an
address associated with or otherwise selected by the prior
customer, in other embodiments, the prior order can comprise a
prior order for a pickup by the prior customer. Although references
are made to deliveries of orders to customers, it is understood
that the systems and methods can include a customer placing an
order for delivery to another person who may or may not be a
customer.
In many embodiments, when the prior customer is placing the prior
order, system 300 (FIG. 3) allows the prior customer to choose from
a plurality of windows of time for pickup or delivery of the prior
order. These windows of time can comprise 10-minute windows of
time, 15-minute windows of time, 30-minute windows of time,
60-minute windows of time, and so on. For example, method 400 also
can optionally comprise an activity 410 of, prior to receiving the
first order from the electronic device of the first customer,
coordinating displaying the plurality of windows of time on the
electronic device of the prior customer. Activity 410 can
additionally or alternatively comprise generating instructions for
providing an interface on the electronic device of the prior
customer that displays the plurality of windows of time.
In some embodiments, activity 410 and other activities in method
400 can comprise using a distributed network comprising distributed
memory architecture to perform the associated activity. This
distributed architecture can reduce the impact on the network and
system resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still
allowing data to be accessible from a central location. In some
embodiments, activity 410 and other activities in method 400 can
comprise using a distributed network comprising distributed memory
architecture to perform the associated activity. This distributed
architecture can reduce the impact on the network and system
resources to reduce congestion in bottlenecks while still allowing
data to be accessible from a central location.
Once the plurality of windows of time have been displayed on the
electronic device of the prior customer, method 400 also can
optionally comprise an activity 415 of, prior to receiving the
first order from the first electronic device of the first customer,
receiving a prior selection of a first window of time from the
electronic device of the prior customer. The first window of time
can be a window of time in which (1) the prior customer will pick
up the prior order at the brick and mortar retail store,
distribution center, or fulfillment center, or (2) a delivery
driver will deliver the prior order to the prior customer at an
address associated with or otherwise selected by the prior
customer. In some embodiments, the prior order can comprise a
pickup surcharge or delivery surcharge for pickup or delivery,
respectively, of the prior order.
After receiving the prior order and/or first window of time
selected by the prior customer, method 400 can comprise an activity
420 of receiving a first order from an electronic device of a first
customer, the first order comprising one or more first items. As
previously noted, the orders made by customers as part of method
400 can be pickup orders or delivery orders. Thus, in some
embodiments, activity 420 can comprise receiving the first order
from the electronic device of the first customer for a first pickup
of the first order at a store by the first customer. In other
embodiments, activity 420 can comprise receiving the first order
from the electronic device of the first customer for a first
delivery of the one or more first items of the first order at a
first address associated with or otherwise selected by the first
customer.
When an order is received or during the order process, system 300
(FIG. 3) can depending on whether the order is for pickup or
delivery, determine if (1) a store employee is available to collect
the order for pickup by the customer during a certain window of
time, or (2) a store employee is available to collect the order and
a driver is available to deliver the order during a certain window
of time. Thus, method 400 also can comprise an activity 425 of
determining at least one of a store employee or a delivery driver
is available to fulfill the first order during a first window of
time of a plurality of windows of time. As described in greater
detail below, the first window of time for the first customer can
relate to (e.g., be the same as) the first window of time selected
by the prior customer, or can be irrelevant to the first window of
time selected by the prior customer. As also described in greater
detail below, fulfillment of the order can comprise (1) only
collection of the order if the order is a pickup order, (2) only
delivery of the order if the order is a delivery order, or (3)
collection of the order and delivery of the order if the order is a
delivery order.
More particularly, if the first order is an order for pickup by the
first customer, activity 425 can comprise determining the store
employee is available to collect the first order to fulfill the
first order during the first window of time. Collection of the
first order by the store employee can comprise collection of the
one or more items of the first order from a brick and mortar retail
store, a warehouse, a distribution center, etc. Similarly, pickup
of the first order by the first customer can comprise pickup of the
first order at the brick and mortar retail store, the warehouse,
the distribution center, etc.
If the first order is an order for pickup by the first customer,
availability of the store employee can be determined irrespective
to the window of time selected by the prior customer. Determining
that the store employee is available to collect the first order to
fulfill the first order during the first window of time can be
beneficial to operations of the store. For example, if the store
employee is scheduled to collect other orders during a second
window of time and a third window of time but available to collect
an order during the first window of time, assigning the store
employee to collect the first order to fulfill the first order
during the first window of time utilizes the time of the store
employee more efficiently.
Furthermore, if the first order is an order for delivery to the
first customer, activity 425 can comprise (1) determining the store
employee is available to collect the one or more first items of the
first order during the first window of time and (2) determining the
delivery driver is available to deliver the one or more first items
of the first order at the first address also during the first
window of time to fulfill the first order. Collection of the first
order by the store employee can comprise collection of the first
order from a brick and mortar retail store, a warehouse, a
distribution center, etc.
In some embodiments, availability of the store employee and the
delivery driver for the first order can be determined irrespective
to the window of time selected by the prior customer. Determining
that the store employee is available to collect the first order and
the delivery driver is available to deliver the first order to
fulfill the first order during the first window of time can be
beneficial to operations of the store. For example, if (1) the
store employee is scheduled to collect other orders during a second
window of time and a third window of time but available to collect
an order during the first window of time and (2) the delivery
driver is scheduled to deliver other orders not near the first
address of the first order during the second window of time and the
third window of time but available during the first window of time,
then assigning the store employee to collect the first order and
the delivery driver to deliver the first order to fulfill the first
order during the first window of time utilizes the time of the
store employee and/or the delivery driver more efficiently.
Moreover, if the first order is an order for delivery to the first
customer, activity 425 can comprise determining the delivery driver
is available to deliver (1) the one or more first items of the
first order at the first address during the first window of time to
fulfill the first order, and (2) the one or more second items of
the prior order at the second address during the first window of
time to fulfill the prior order. In these and other embodiments,
availability of the delivery driver to deliver the first order
during the first window of time pertains or correlates directly to
the window of time selected by the prior customer for delivery of
the prior order. For example, in some embodiments, determining that
the delivery driver is available to deliver both the first order to
the first customer and also the prior order to the prior customer
during the first window of time can be based on the first address
of the first order and the second address of the prior order being
within a first predetermined proximity of each other.
Determining that the delivery driver is available to deliver both
the first order to the first customer and also the prior order to
the prior customer during the first window of time can be
beneficial to operations of the store. For example, if the delivery
driver can deliver both the first order to the first customer and
also the prior order to the prior customer during the first window
of time and/or in a single trip, then less gas is and time used for
delivery of the orders. Furthermore, if the delivery driver is from
a third-party delivery service, such as but not limited to a
crowd-sourced third-party delivery service, then the store saves
money on the expense of paying the delivery driver to make two
separate trips to deliver the two orders.
After determining at least one of a store employee or a delivery
driver is available to fulfill the first order during a first
window of time of a plurality of windows of time, method 400 can
comprise an activity 430 of coordinating displaying the plurality
of windows of time on the electronic device of the first customer
with a first discounted price for the first order proximate the
first window of time. Activity 430 also can include generating
instructions for providing an interface that displays the plurality
of windows of time on the electronic device of the first customer
with a first discounted price for the first order proximate the
first window of time. In some embodiments, the first discounted
price can comprise a certain monetary amount to be taken off the
total price. For example, activity 430 can comprise coordinating
displaying the plurality of windows of time on the electronic
device of the first customer with a "$2 off" displayed proximate
the first window of time. In other embodiments, the first
discounted priced can comprise the total cost of the order, with a
reduced priced displayed proximate the first window of time, and
all other windows of time can have a full price displayed proximate
each respective window of time of the other windows of the time. In
some embodiments, the first discounted price is discounted from a
first delivery charge for the first order and not from the price of
the one or more items in the order.
As described above, in some circumstances it can be advantageous to
the store if the customer selects a certain window of time. For
example, a store employee may have more time to collect the order
during a certain window of time, and/or a prior order for delivery
is scheduled to be delivered during a certain window of time and is
near enough to an ongoing or new order to allow a delivery driver
to deliver both orders within the certain window of time.
In some embodiments, activity 430 can optionally comprise
coordinating displaying (1) the plurality of windows of time on the
electronic device of the first customer with the first discounted
price for the first order proximate the first window of time and
also (2) a second icon configured to redirect the first customer to
a map webpage upon selection of the second icon by the first
customer. The map webpage is described in greater detail below.
Activity 430 also can comprise an activity of generating
instructions for providing an interface on the electronic device of
the first customer that displays the plurality of windows of time
and the second icon.
Method 400 also can comprise an activity 435 of, if the one or more
non-transitory storage modules receive a first selection of the
first window of time from the electronic device of the first
customer, coordinating displaying a first order completion page
with the first discounted price for the first order. Activity 435
also can comprise generating instructions for providing an
interface on the electronic device of the first customer that
displays the first order completion page with the first discount
price for the first order. In some embodiments, method 400 also can
comprise an activity of coordinating displaying the first order
and/or the address of the first customer on an employee electronic
device of the store employee and/or on a driver electronic device
of the delivery driver. In these and other embodiments, method 400
can comprise an activity of generating instructions for providing
an interface on the employee electronic device and/or the driver
electronic device that displays the first order and/or address of
the first customer.
Method 400 also can optionally comprise an activity 440 of
coordinating displaying a map webpage on the electronic device of
the first customer. Activity 440 also can comprise generating
instructions for providing an interface on the electronic device of
the first customer that displays the map webpage. In some
embodiments, the map webpage can comprise one or more of: (1) a map
of an area within a second predetermined proximity of at least one
of the first address or the second address; (2) a geometric shape
on the map overlaying the first address and the second address; (3)
a prompt within the geometric shape for the first customer to
select the first window of time to activate the first discounted
price for the first customer and a second discounted price for the
prior customer; and/or (4) the first discounted price proximate a
first icon displaying the first window of time and configured to
receive a selection of the first window time by the first
customer.
With respect to the second discounted price for the prior customer,
in some embodiments, method 400 can optionally comprise an activity
of, if the first selection of the first window of time is received
by system 300 (FIG. 3) from the electronic device of the first
customer, determining the prior order made prior to the first order
is eligible for a second discounted price because the first
customer selected the first window of time for delivery of the
first order. Similarly, in some embodiments, method 400 can
optionally comprise an activity of, if the first selection of the
first window of time is received by system 300 (FIG. 3) from the
electronic device of the first customer, determining the prior
order made prior to the first order is eligible for a second
discounted price because the first customer selected the first
window of time for pickup of the first order. In some embodiments,
the second discounted price is discounted from a second delivery
charge for the prior order and not from the price of the one or
more second items of the prior order. Furthermore, in some
embodiments, method 400 can optionally comprise an activity of
coordinating transmitting a notification to the electronic device
of the second customer indicating that the second discounted price
has been applied to the prior order. For example, system 300 (FIG.
3) can generate instructions for providing an interface on the
electronic device of the second customer that indicates the second
discounted price has been applied to the prior order.
FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a portion of system 300
comprising order system 310, web server 320, and display system
360, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. Each of order
system 310, web server 320, and display system 360, is merely
exemplary and not limited to the embodiments presented herein. Each
of order system 310, web server 320, and/or display system 360 can
be employed in many different embodiments or examples not
specifically depicted or described herein. In some embodiments,
certain elements or modules of order system 310, web server 320,
and/or display system 360 can perform various procedures,
processes, and/or acts. In other embodiments, the procedures,
processes, and/or acts can be performed by other suitable elements
or modules.
In many embodiments, order system 310 can comprise non-transitory
memory storage module 512. Memory storage module 512 can be
referred to as order module 512. In many embodiments, order module
512 can store computing instructions configured to run on one or
more processing modules and perform one or more acts of method 400
(FIG. 4) (e.g., activity 405 of receiving a prior order from an
electronic device of a prior customer for a second delivery of one
or more items of the prior order at a second address, activity 415
of receiving a prior selection of the first window of time from the
electronic device of the prior customer, activity 420 of receiving
a first order from an electronic device of a first customer, the
first order comprising one or more items, and activity 425 of
determining at least one of a store employee or a delivery driver
is available to fulfill the first order during a first window of
time of a plurality of windows of time (FIG. 4)).
In many embodiments, display system 360 can comprise non-transitory
memory storage module 562. Memory storage module 562 can be
referred to as display module 562. In many embodiments, display
module 562 can store computing instructions configured to run on
one or more processing modules and perform one or more acts of
method 400 (FIG. 4) (e.g., activity 410 of coordinating displaying
the plurality of windows of time on the electronic device of the
prior customer, activity 430 of coordinating displaying the
plurality of windows of time on the electronic device of the first
customer with a first discounted price for the first order
proximate the first window of time, activity 435 of coordinating
displaying a first order completion page with the first discounted
price for the first order, and activity 440 of coordinating
displaying a map webpage on the electronic device of the first
customer (FIG. 4)).
Although systems and methods for determining discounted prices for
online orders have been described with reference to specific
embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments
is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the disclosure and
is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of
the disclosure shall be limited only to the extent required by the
appended claims. For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art,
it will be readily apparent that any element of FIGS. 1-5 may be
modified, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these
embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description
of all possible embodiments. For example, one or more of the
procedures, processes, or activities of FIG. 4 may include
different procedures, processes, and/or activities and be performed
by many different modules, in many different orders.
All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the
embodiment claimed in that particular claim. Consequently,
replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes
reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other
advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with
regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions
to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any
benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced,
however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or
essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless
such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in
such claim.
Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not
dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the
embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in
the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express
elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of
equivalents.
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